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Couple Provides Home to More Than 300 Foster Children Over 25 Years

by Karen de Wilde on January 29, 2015

Karen de Wilde

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Karen de Wilde is a freelance writer who loves to write about health, beauty, food, entertainment, and life in general. Her work has appeared on several websites, including Daily Glow, eHow, LiveStrong, and Screen Junkies. She is excitedly preparing for the birth of her first baby and is very excited about being a new mom.

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Think you have a busy life? Then meet John and Betty Love, who have helped raise more children in their home than one would think is possible without going bonkers. As reported by This is Grismby, the British couple has welcomed more than 300 foster children into their home over the past 25 years, with no plans of stopping.

They already had children of their own — both biological and adopted — when they began fostering children. From babies to teenagers, including those with special needs, they've opened their home and hearts to them all. Why do they do this?

"We just love children," said 62-year-old Betty.

The couple made clear that it hasn't always been easy. Caring and providing a home for children who came from difficult situations definitely had its challenges. Despite the tough times, they remain committed to helping the most vulnerable. Their reward is seeing a child that they have fostered thriving and happy.

"Over the years we have had our ups and downs, as each child we get is completely different from the last. We have looked after babies that are poorly due to their mothers using illegal substances through pregnancy, to children whose main guardian has been taken into hospital for one reason or another...Despite this, what we do is very rewarding..." said Betty.

"The feeling you get when a child is happy with their new adoption home, or when a baby who was poorly gets well again, is fantastic and makes us realise we have done a good job," she added.

Having fostered over 300 children, the couple could be forgiven for being judgmental or cynical about humankind. Showing just what great people they are, however, they decline to think the worst of people.

"A lot of these situations where children are put into fostering cannot be helped, so people should not judge the parents or the child," said John.

Just when you think there couldn't be less evil in the world, along comes a story like this, restoring our faith in humanity! Awesome people like John and Betty Love remind us that we can all do something to help others, not for any selfish reason or monetary reward, but simply because it's the right thing to do.

Have you taken in foster children? Tell us about your experience in the comments below!

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